The Rising of The Shield Hero: Unveiling the Dark Nexus of Power and Corruption

Highlights

Season 3 of The Rising of The Shield Hero takes a different direction, exploring human greed and relationships instead of a fantastical journey.

As Naofumi's altruistic actions unfold, they inadvertently lead to unforeseen repercussions when wealthy individuals in Melromarc take advantage of the inherent worth of demi-human slaves.

Now, Naofumi is faced with the daunting challenge of devising a plan to liberate the dispersed demi-human slaves and maneuver through the deceitful and treacherous underbelly of the Zeltoble Coliseum.

Beware: The spoiler alert below contains information regarding Season 3, Episode 1, titled "The Dark Coliseum" of The Rising of The Shield Hero. The episode can now be streamed on Crunchyroll.

After a highly eventful story arc in Season 2, which included epic battles against mythical creatures and journeys to alternate dimensions, the expectations for Season 3 are set quite high. It remains to be seen whether the upcoming season can surpass the grandeur of its predecessor.

No Good Deeds Goes Unpunished

The third season of The Rising of The Shield Hero takes a different approach, opting for a distinct narrative. Instead of the action-packed and fantastical journey experienced in the second season, this new installment delves into the complexity of human avarice and interpersonal connections. This shift in focus is evident from the very first episode of the season.

In Melromarc, a land filled with prosperity, demi-humans face a harsh reality of being treated as inferior citizens. The locals either opt to turn a blind eye and distance themselves from these beings or, in some cases, even go to the extent of actively attacking and enslaving them.

That being said, Naofumi, the notorious Shield Hero, begins to slowly change this sentiment through his actions. He stands as the only hero who fights alongside a demi-human, the skilled sword master Raphtalia. Together, they prove to be exceptional and powerful fighters. In addition, the Royal family aligns with Naofumi and publicly supports the rights of the demi-humans in Melromarc. Unfortunately, Naofumi soon discovers that his good deeds do not go unrewarded.

One form of support from the crown comes in the form of a Royal decree to abolish the slave trade of demi-humans. While this news is undoubtedly positive for Raphtalia and her fellow demi-humans in the kingdom, the wealthy individuals of Melromarc have a contrasting perspective.

Doing The Right Thing Is Expensive

Unbeknownst to them, the success of Naofumi and Raphtalia in combat significantly enhances the value of the demi-human slaves, particularly those hailing from Raphtalia's hometown, Lurolona village. Consequently, merchants and affluent individuals within the Kingdom hastily procure every demi-human slave available before the Royal Decree becomes officially enforced. Regrettably, this development essentially shatters Naofumi's plan to liberate Raphtalia's friends and family.

Naofumi, the new ruler of Lurolona village and its surrounding area, is determined to transform it into a secure refuge for demi-humans in Melromarc. This noble aspiration of abolishing slavery and establishing a utopia where individuals from diverse races and species coexist harmoniously is a prevalent concept in the Isekai genre. Some well-known examples that showcase this idealistic vision in action include Carne Village from Overlord and the capital city of Tempest from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.

However, instead of gradually building a utopia through conquest or negotiation like the heroes in Overlord and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, The Rising of The Shield Hero takes a completely different approach. In Melromarc, the demi-humans are predominantly slaves, unlike the aforementioned isekai series. This means that the fastest and most effective way to save these demi-humans is by purchasing each one of them.

Thanks to his past accomplishments and his side job as a traveling merchant, Naofumi has managed to accumulate a substantial amount of money. However, his actions have inadvertently caused the price of demi-human slaves, particularly those from Lurolona village, to skyrocket. As a result, Naofumi is now completely priced out of the market. This predicament is both realistic and ironic for Naofumi, as he finally realizes that doing the right thing can come with a hefty price tag.

Mind Games At The Coliseum

Since abandoning the plan to rebuild and repopulate Lurolona village is not an option, Naofumi is compelled to simultaneously address two problems. These problems involve locating the scattered demi-human slaves from Lurolona village and acquiring enough funds to buy them. Thankfully, both solutions can be found in the merchant country of Zeltoble, which serves as the primary backdrop for the third season of this series.

Although this season's narrative will primarily revolve around Naofumi and his companions navigating a complex web of deceit and betrayal orchestrated by the avaricious individuals in their midst, it does not imply a decrease in action compared to the previous season. On the contrary, this first episode sets the stage for the kind of battles that await us this season - a gladiator-style encounter within Zeltoble's underground Coliseum.

From the events of the initial episode, it is evident that despite being thrust into a corrupt environment teeming with deceitful individuals, Naofumi will devise a shrewd strategy to conquer his newfound adversaries. In addition to engaging in a series of gladiatorial conflicts within the Coliseum against various combatants, there will also be a plethora of mental challenges presented by both Naofumi and his opponents. If the premiere is any indication, the upcoming third season of Rising of The Shield Hero is poised to deliver a captivating and perilous expedition unlike anything witnessed thus far in this series.